Teen’s bingo booster for lifeline Bertie Bus
Cause is close to Siusaidh’s heart as great-gran is a fan
A Strathearn teenager is planning to hold a special charity night to raise money for the community’s Bertie Bus service.
Siusaidh Johnston ( 13) from Gilmerton is hoping to raise vital funds to keep the popular transport service running throughout the local area by holding a bingo night and raffle at the Royal British Legion Scotland clubrooms on Crieff’s Perth Road on Friday, May 12.
Mum Karen explained: “Bertie Bus is a charity-run bus that takes the elderly out and about, and it is a lifeline for them in Strathearn.
“It goes and takes them to the library and day trips, and it takes them once a month to Dunblane to go shopping in Marks & Spencer. It does a lot of different things.
“My gran is 82, and she never used to go out and about a year ago, but she got through the waiting list onto the Bertie Bus and she has started to go out again.
“It has given her an extra 10 years, it really serves the community well.
“Siusaidh did a presentation to win £3,000 from the Youth and Philanthropy Intuitive but didn’t win, so she thought she would raise the money herself because it is a cause close to her heart.
“She has done everything for the bingo night herself, from collecting and allocating prizes, putting up posters, and liaising with businesses – which is an amazing thing to do at her age.”
Karen says all ages can enjoy the bingo night and raffle, and there are even some children’s prizes.
Both mum and daughter have been amazed at the amount of donations the Strathearn community has been giving for their raffle.
Karen continued: “The residents at Dulchage Court sheltered housing have been donating food for hampers. The residents who use the Bertie Bus have done it all themselves and have made up two hampers and a sweetie hamper.
“It will be a successful night, we have already sold £150 worth of raffle tickets and Gleneagles Hotel donated a teddy bear and we’ve managed to raise £120 for guessing the bear’s birthday. All in all, we expect to raise a fair bit.
“People are still giving us raffle prizes, the full community is behind her. Siusiadh is really looking forward to the final outcome and seeing how much she can raise.”
‘ Eyes down’ on the night is 7.30pm.